By Illinois Review
The 2026 race for Illinois governor took a decisive turn Monday night as DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick delivered a commanding performance at a packed Patriot Club forum hosted by the Kane County GOP — while rival Ted Dabrowski stumbled, appearing nervous, unsteady, and anything but the confident “policy expert” his campaign claims him to be.
The event drew a full house of energized Republican voters eager to hear from the candidates for governor. Former GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey’s running mate, Aaron Del Mar, attended on Bailey’s behalf, offering brief remarks as the Bailey family continues to take time away from the campaign trail to grieve the tragic loss of their son, daughter-in-law, and two young grandchildren.
Max Solomon canceled at the last minute, and businessman Rick Heidner — who recently filed his petitions for governor — did not attend.
Before the forum began, the audience joined in a moment of silence for the Bailey family — a solemn reminder of the deep personal loss still felt throughout Illinois’ conservative community.
While Del Mar spoke briefly about Bailey’s ongoing commitment to faith, family, and conservative values, it was Sheriff Mendrick who seized control of the evening. Confident, direct, and unapologetic, Mendrick drew applause when he declared that Illinois must “get rid of the illegals” to restore law and order — a moment that electrified the crowd and underscored the frustration many Illinoisans feel about Gov. JB Pritzker’s sanctuary policies and their devastating impact on crime, taxes, and public safety.
Dabrowski, by contrast, appeared tense and uncomfortable throughout the evening. Despite his background as a policy analyst — and the backing of party insiders like former State Representatives Jeanne Ives and Tom Morrison, Florida-based Chicago radio host Dan Proft, and State Sen. Jason Plummer — his message fell flat. His focus on high property taxes and state budget overspending might appeal to think-tank conservatives, but it came across as tone-deaf to everyday Illinoisans who are far more concerned about protecting their families, securing their neighborhoods, and ending the flood of illegal immigration that’s draining local resources and endangering communities.
Throughout the night, Dabrowski struggled to connect with voters. His delivery lacked energy and confidence, and his answers often seemed rehearsed rather than authentic — a stark contrast to Mendrick’s grounded, lawman demeanor. Where Mendrick spoke from experience and conviction, Dabrowski sounded more like a policy analyst than a leader ready to take on JB Pritzker’s political machine.
Many in attendance agreed the debate would have taken a very different turn had Darren Bailey himself been there. As a former state lawmaker and the GOP’s 2022 gubernatorial nominee, Bailey’s command of policy and his deep connection to the grassroots would have elevated the discussion — and reminded the audience what bold conservative leadership looks like.
Instead, the night belonged entirely to Sheriff James Mendrick, whose no-nonsense stance on illegal immigration and commitment to restoring law and order won over the room.
The key takeaway was unmistakable: Mendrick won, hands down. Ted Dabrowski looked afraid, timid, and unconfident — preaching establishment talking points while the crowd rallied behind the sheriff who spoke for the people.
